Final: Lakers 103, Mavericks 99

Kobe Bryant dominated a game, hitting so many tough, big shots. And then Bryant saw the extra defenders and sent the ball over for Steve Nash to step right into a 3-pointer the way Derek Fisher did so many times.

Nash moved through his back spasms and hit the shot -- and the Lakers held on from there for one of their biggest victories in this trouble-filled season: a 103-99 decision over a never-say-die Dirk Nowitzki and a Dallas Mavericks team also desperate to earn a playoff berth.

Nash was far more than a big-name Fisher on Sunday as he continued his late-season improvement with 20 points, his high as a Laker. When the Mavericks' best last chance missed via O.J. Mayo's 3-pointer with seven seconds left, Nash pumped both fists together and scowled in celebration.

"I think he believes in me," Nash said of Bryant's pass with 1:46 to play, "and he found me for an open shot. I got my feet set and knocked it down."

Much of the game otherwise comprised demonstrations of Bryant's classic footwork and shot-making Sunday. He had 38 points on 13-of-21 shooting from the field, making all five shots in the fourth quarter.

"That's what he does; that's what he loves," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said. "That's what he trains for."

Bryant overcame a cold spell late in the first half, emerged late at halftime with a team of Lakers trainers and dominated the second half also.

"It's just what I'm supposed to do," Bryant said.

It was needed, because the Lakers' defense was off kilter after Dwight Howard got in early foul trouble -- and at one point he declined D'Antoni's request that he guard Nowitzki in the second half. Howard noted that he had three fouls, with D'Antoni then assigning Antawn Jamison to Nowitzki (30 points, 13 rebounds).

Howard's effort was there down the stretch, though, and now the Lakers can reach .500 for the first time since New Year's with a victory Monday in Denver.

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